Need a Private Applicator Ag Pest Control License or an Aquatic Pest Control License? Here’s your opportunity for a review class and exam. Do you just need CEUs for license renewal? We have several CEUs available as well. January 11, 2017 8am-3pm Okaloosa County Extension Office 3098 Airport Road Crestview, FL 32539 8am …

Need to obtain or renew one of the public works pesticide licenses? Then join us on December 15th, 2016 in Ft. Walton Bch. Attend one session or all four. Earn from 1-9 CEUs in many categories. For more information: county-pesticide-training-2016

Earn the credits required to sit for the Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance test. Attend a review session for both the Limited Lawn and Ornamental or Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance certification exam.. Or obtain the required continuing education units (CEUs) needed to renew limited licenses as well as other categories. All of these are an option …

Every year more than 85 million people visit Florida. However, people are not Florida’s only visitors; Florida is also an inviting destination for invasive species that threaten to undermine the health of our environment. More than an inconvenience, invasive plants and animals can greatly alter our native landscape, adversely impact native wildlife, destroy agricultural crops …

Native azaleas are a treasure and can be a showstopper in your landscape. Used correctly, they literally can cause people to stop and ask, “What is that plant” as they are so spectacular in full bloom. There are a number of different species, all in the Rhododendron genus, with flower color ranging from white to …

The final plant clinic of the year will be held Friday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Blvd. The plant clinic provides a place and time for people to bring in samples of plants for diagnosis including weeds for identification. …

Be prepared to apply fertilizer next spring. BMP certification is required to submit an application for the Commercial Urban Fertilizer Certification. Renew your pesticide certification while learning how to maintain the landscape. These are the things you will learn by attending the Green Industries Best Management Practices class in Crestview on Nov 9, 2016. For more information …

I always enjoy being outdoors and watching butterflies and hummingbirds as we move into late summer and fall. Fall is the peak season for butterflies in the Florida Panhandle and there are a surprising number of hummingbirds that migrate to our area as they seek out our mild weather during the winter months. In fact, …

As we move into September, we can expect some relief from summer’s heat and humidity. This change offers a time to possibly catch up on landscape jobs. September also offers a favorable time to purchase and plant some landscape plants. And the Okaloosa County Master Gardeners can assist with this. They are holding a Fall …

The September plant clinic will be held Friday, September 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Blvd. The plant clinic provides a place and time for people to bring in samples of plants for diagnosis including weeds for identification. Bring a fresh …

Would you like to grow more of your own food? If so, you may be interested in an upcoming gardening seminar being offered at the UF/IFAS Extension Office in Okaloosa County. Karen Harper and Marg Stewart, Okaloosa County Master Gardeners, will present an amazing look into their quests to grow more of their own food …

The August plant clinic will be held Friday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Blvd. The plant clinic provides a place and time for people to bring in samples of plants for diagnosis including weeds for identification. Bring with you a …

There are areas in most landscapes where it is not practical or possible to bring in the tiller and create a flowerbed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have color in those areas. A little imagination, a decorative container and appropriate plants can turn a bare spot into a splash of color. Consider using a …

University of Florida palm and disease Extension specialist Dr. Monica Elliott will share information on palm installation and best management practices. Timing and techniques for proper palm planting. Establishing and care for palms through proper watering, fertilization, and pruning. Learn the cold hardy palms to plant along the Gulf Coast and palm issues and diseases …

Earn the credits required to sit for the Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance test. Attend a review session for both the Limited Lawn and Ornamental or Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance certification exam.. Or obtain the required continuing education units (CEUs) needed to renew limited licenses as well as other categories. All of these are an option …

Do you need something fun and educational for your child to do this summer? The Okaloosa County Extension Office has a suggestion for you – Camp Timpoochee. Camp Timpoochee, located in Niceville on the Choctawhatchee Bay, is the site for 4-H Camp for Okaloosa County. The 2016 camp for Okaloosa will be July 11-15 and …

The concept of vertical gardening may not be something you’ve put much thought into. But done correctly, vertical gardening can be a space saving idea in gardens and landscapes with limited room. Vining, sprawling vegetables such as some types of squash, cucumbers and running peas take up more garden space if they are allowed to …

June offers hotter temperatures, humidity and possible thunderstorm activity. In addition, school is out and many people take time to go on vacation. This leaves less time for landscape and garden chores. But there are things to do in the June landscape and garden here in the Northwest Florida area. In today’s article, I’ll share …

The word bonsai is pronounced bone sigh, bon means tray or pot and sai means plant. Bonsai refers to the plant being miniaturized as well as to the technique used. In today’s article, Lynn Fabian, Okaloosa County Master Gardener and member of the Fort Walton Beach Bonsai Society, shares information on the art of bonsai …

Step 1 Identify the plant. By knowing the type of plant you can begin relating causes to symptoms seen on the plants. Step 2 Survey the site. Is the problem occurring to one plant or a group of plants? Is it a local problem in your landscape only or are other plants of the same …

Join us for a casual stroll along our native plant trail at the UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Office from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20. The Extension Office is located at 3098 Airport Road in Crestview. During the quarter mile walk we will view the variety of native plants listed in the Master Gardener prepared …

Lawn burweed is a winter annual weed that becomes problematic in spring. It is a low-growing weed with leaves somewhat resembling a miniature version of parsley. Burweed seeds germinate in fall. The plants remain small and inconspicuous during winter. It’s not until temperatures warm in spring that this innocent-looking and often unnoticed weed begins rapid …

Okaloosa County Master Gardeners will provide two gardening events this month at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex located at 127 W. Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. Plant Clinic The first plant clinic of this year will be provided by Okaloosa County Master Gardeners from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 11. The …

Getting ready for spring fertilizing and wondering what product to choose? Join the First Tuesday Series at the Bob Sikes Library in Crestview on April 5th from 10:30 -11:30 am. For More information: Library Program 2016

This year’s Home Show, sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties (BIA), will include lawn and gardening seminars. The Home Show will be held February 27 and 28 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island, located at 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach. On Saturday, February …

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society will conduct a free Camellia Workshop to introduce the camellia to area residents. This year’s workshop will be held Saturday, February 6 at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex, 127 NW Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. The workshop, which is free, is open to the public from 9AM …

The beginning of a New Year is a great time to evaluate your lawn, landscape and garden and to formulate resolutions for the New Year that will lead to improvements. Otherwise, you’re likely to move well into 2016 making the same old mistakes that resulted in failures and frustrations with your lawn, landscape and garden. …

Join Okaloosa County Extension along with University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Peanut Producers Association to help take a bite out of hunger by participating in a local peanut butter drive. We are competing against other peanut producing counties in the Panhandle for the most jars of peanut …

We are blessed with a wealth of native wildflowers here in Northwest Florida, many of which are blooming now. We get many questions from the public related to the identification of these plants, usually when these wildflowers are in bloom. So, we thought we’d offer a seminar for the public titled, “Wildflowers of Northwest Florida.” …

A plant clinic will be held Friday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Boulevard. The plant clinic is designed to provide a place and time for people to bring in samples of plants for diagnosis, including weeds for identification. Bring …

Healthy trees provide many benefits for our environment and landscapes here in Northwest Florida. They cool our surroundings, buildings and homes in the hot summer months. Trees provide aesthetically pleasing views, provide privacy and so much more. In order to have success with trees, we need to begin by selecting the right tree for the …

Our hot temperatures may not indicate it, but it’s time to begin a fall vegetable garden. Cool-season vegetables include many of the leafy-green vegetables such as cabbage, collards and spinach. Other cool-season vegetables that you can enjoy include radish, beets and carrots. Let’s take a closer look at some of the plants to be planted …

Q. I’ve had a successful year with my vegetable garden and am looking for a class on how to safely can some of my produce. Does the Extension Office have an upcoming class that I can attend? A. Yes. Jill Breslawski, UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent for Okaloosa and Walton Counties, is …

A Plant Clinic will be held Friday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Boulevard. The plant clinic is designed to provide a place and time for people to bring in samples of plants for diagnosis, including weeds for identification. Bring …

The Okaloosa County Extension Office is taking applications for the 2015 Master Gardener training course. The Master Garden Program in Florida is a joint endeavor of University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and gardening volunteers in participating counties. This program is specifically designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet …

Diagnosing plant problems in the lawn, landscape or garden can be difficult and costly when guessing. Sending a sample to a diagnostic laboratory and/or attending a plant clinic may be helpful in solving some of these problems. A plant clinic will be held Friday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton …

A plant clinic will be held Friday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fort Walton Beach at the Okaloosa County Extension building, 127 W. Hollywood Boulevard. The plant clinic is designed to provide a place and time for people to bring in samples of plants for diagnosis, including weeds for identification. Bring …

Take the guesswork out of providing seasonal color in your landscape and join Okaloosa County Master Gardener Marie Harrison as she presents this seminar on Inter-planting for Seasonal Color. Marie is a local author of a number of books including Gardening in the Coastal South, Southern Gardening, an Environmentally Sensitive Approach, Groundcovers for the South, and …

Correct identification of a weed is the first step in control of that weed. Most weeds that are dominant in our lawns, landscapes and gardens now are winter annuals. They stand out in late winter and early spring. Most are blooming now with white, yellow and purple flowers. It may appear that these weeds suddenly …

Despite the fact that the State of Florida is one of the top two tomato producing states in the United States, many times the Florida home gardener finds it difficult to grow tomatoes. Florida farmers are first in the production of fresh market tomatoes with California farmers being first in the production of processed tomatoes …

With the beginning of spring comes the influx of insects, including termites. In Okaloosa County, the exotic Formosan Termite, capable of doing significant damage to homes is one that we have to monitor. If you want to learn more about the species, the damage it cause, ways of protecting your property and controlling the pest, plan …

The Northwest Florida Gulf Coast Beekeepers Association is hosting its first annual workshop on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Florosa Elementary School, 1700 Highway 98, Mary Esther. Open to the public, the eight hour event will feature hands-on demonstrations of how to raise bees, collect honey, and build beehives. Guest speakers will include Doug Corbin, …

With spring on its way, your local University of Florida Extension Office in Okaloosa County is providing lawn and garden seminars for the public. Plan Before You Plant Seminar: Take the guesswork out of vegetable gardening and join Okaloosa County Master Gardener Lee Vanderpool as he presents this seminar on planning your vegetable garden. Topics …

This year’s Home Show, sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties (BIA), will include lawn and gardening seminars. The Home Show will be held March 7 and 8 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. On Saturday, March 7 at 9:30 am, Master Gardener Margaret Stewart will provide a …

As a community service, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society, which is over 50 years old, will conduct a free Camellia Workshop to introduce the camellia to area residents. The workshop will be held at the Okaloosa County Extension Annex, 127 NW Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach from 9 a.m. until noon on …

In one way or another, I would argue that we all have benefited from legislation signed 100 years ago referred to as the Smith-Lever Act. The Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative Extension Service, a unique educational partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the nation’s land-grant universities and counties that extends research-based knowledge through a …

A pesticide license is required for application of insecticides, herbicides or fungicides to landscape plants, including Roundup and Insecticidal soap. As a landscape professional or government employee earning this certification can be as simple as attending the training and passing the exam. The next opportunity is Oct 22, 2014 in Crestview. If you need to …

In order to legally apply pesticides to the interior of your employer’s building you must be licensed by the state of Florida. The next opportunity to attend a review and exam class is September 30, 2014 in Chipley. For more information: Structural 2014

As of January 1, 2014 landscape personnel that charge for the serve of fertilizing of plants or grass must be Best Management Practices certified and licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to perform the work. Any soil ammendments, including organics are considered fertilizer. If you haven’t completed this, the …

The Emerald Coast Home Show, Health Fair and Business Expo will include lawn and landscape seminars and an information booth hosted by the Okaloosa County Master Gardeners. This event will be held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island on September 13 and 14. The horticulture seminars will be provided by the UF/IFAS …

Fall is a great time to plant a winter garden. One of the benefits of living in the Florida Panhandle is that we can grow vegetables twelve months out of the year. But not all vegetables can be successfully grown during our cooler fall and winter months. If you have struggled with vegetable gardening or …

By state law, an applicator must be licensed in order to apply restricted-use herbicides to highway roadsides, powerlines and railroad tracks. August 4, 2014, the Okaloosa County Extension office is offering a review class and exam. For more information click on the following: Right of Way flyer2014

In order to obtain a pesticide license in any of the Chapter 487 categories ( Ornamental & Turf, Right of Way, Aquatic, Natural Areas, Private Applicator etc.) it is required to pass the CORE ( General Standards) exam. The next opportunity for a review class and exam is on July 31 in Chipley or …

In order to obtain a pesticide application certificate from the state of Florida, landscape personnel must attend a six-hour training and pass an exam. The next opportunity to accomplish this in one day is July 7, 2014 in Defuniak Springs. For more information click here: 7714DF

June 23-25, the Florida Irrigation Society will be providing a certified instructor for the contractor license in irrigation to deliver a review workshop at the Okaloosa County Extension office. For more information click here: Exam Prep Workshops – 6-23-14 – Rev

There is something for the professional, Master Gardener and homeowner at the 20th Annual Turfgrass Expo & Field Day. You’ll see and learn the newest in the areas of lawn grass varieties, weed control and many other topics related to selecting, establishing and maintaining a Florida lawn. Plus, the expo includes landscape info. This University …

The next opportunity to earn the BMP certificate required to apply for the state mandated fertilizer license is July 10, 2014 in Crestview. For more information click on the following: 71014. This is also a way to earn the CEUs required to renew your pesticide license. Accomplish both tasks in one day.

Save the Date! July 9, 2014 will be an opportunity to get lots of CEUs in many different categories including Ag Tree, Ag Row, Aerial, Aquatic, Forestry, Natural Areas, Priv. App., Regulatory, ROW and all the Lawn and Ornamental certifications. Plan on attending in Bay, Leon or Walton County. Preregistration is requires through FTGA by …

With a harsh winter and excessive rainfall, landscapes are stressed. At the Florida Pest Management Association meeting on May 20, 2014, pest control operators can learn What To Expect This Summer. To learn how to monitor for and manage the problems that are likely to impact lawns and plant material, plan on attending from 6-8 …

The month of May and after is going to be a time of recovery for Northwest Florida. On April 30th, 2014 many residents awoke, if they slept at all, to drenched neighborhoods and all of the damage and destruction that followed. This storm took most by surprise. Though recovery may be slow and tough at …

The University of Florida IFAS Extension & Florida Sea Grant program of Okaloosa/Walton Counties invites you to join us on April 28th at 5:00 PM for our Salty Topics Emerald Coast Series “Sea Turtles of the Emerald Coast.” Brooke Saari, Marine Science Extension Agent will cover the various species of sea turtles found in Florida, …

As of January 1, 2014 landscape personnel that charge for the serve of fertilizing of plants or grass must be Best Management Practices certified and licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to perform the work. If you haven’t completed this, the next opportunity is April 24, 2014 at the …

Pest Control Operators in General Household Pests or Termite/Wood-destoying Organisms. Here is an opportunity on March 21 to earn CEUs in both categories, as well as some CORE, before the season gets really busy. 32114Structural Government, Property Management, Condominium employees responsible for pesticide application inside the building can receive a review for the Limited Structural …

In 2014, a Florida fertilizer license is required for all employees applying fertilizer to the lawn and landscape. Spanish speaking personnel can qualify by taking the Best Management Practices class in Spanish. The next opportunity is Wednesday, March 20, 2014 in Valparaiso. For more information: 32014SP

The University of Florida IFAS Extension & Florida Sea Grant program of Okaloosa/Walton Counties invites you to join us on Mar 11th, 11:00 AM for our Salty Topics Emerald Coast Series “Marine Debris Removal for Coastal Habitat Restoration.” This free seminar will be is part of our monthly series focusing on various coastal based topics throughout the year. …

If you need to get the pesticide license training for a new license or renewal of an existing license out of the way before the busy spring season is upon us, the next opportunity is Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview. For more information: 3514

As of January 1, 2014 those who apply fertilizer “For Hire” must have a specialized license to do so. In order to apply for the license, you must have obtained a Best Management Practices Certificate. The certificate is awarded to those who complete a 5 hour training and pass the exam. If you are one …